Electric trolley head



Jan. 14, 1930. w l s 1,743,300

ELECTRIC TROLLEY HEAD Filed ar h 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F/6.2. F/enf.

KENNA'TH /Y/. W /L K/NSJ Jan. 14, 1930. K. M. WILKINS 1,743,300

ELECTRIC TROLLEY HEAD 7 Filed March 6, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /NVENTOR Patented Jan. 14, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE KENNETH M. WILKINS, OF WAUKEGAN, ILLINOIS ELECTRIC TROLLEY HEAD This invention relates to overhead trolley contacts in which electric contact is made with an overhead trolley wire or conductor by a contact shoe or slider, an example of which constitutes the subject matter of the Hough and Shultis Patent No. 1,491,403 dated August 22, 1924. And the present improvement has for its various objects:

To provide a structural formation and combination of the contact shoe or slider and its carrying head whereby a strong attachment of the parts and one capable of ready disassemblage is attained, and with which an efficient electrical contact between the parts is provided.

To provide a like formation and combination of the carrying head of the shoe or slider and'the trolley pole whereby a maximum electrical conducting capacity in the parts is attained With a view to prevent undue heating of the trolley pole, due to the natural electrical resistance-of the metal'of said pole, in its use on trains carrying heavy loads, necessitating in consequence a larger supply of electro-motive force to the motors of such trains, all as will hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1, is a side elevation illustrating the general arrangement of parts in the present invention.

Fig. 2, is an end elevation of the carrying head and contact shoe or slider mount-ed in said head.

Fig. 3, is a side elevation of the contact shoe or slider.

Fig. 4, is an end view of the same.

Fig. 5, is a longitudinal section of the carrying head and contact shoe or slider.

Fig. 6, is a transverse section of same, on line 66, Fig. 5.

Like reference numerals indicate like parts in the several views.

The trolley pole 1 used in the present structure is of the usual wrought iron tubular formation and constitutes a part of the circuit of the electro-motive force used in propelling the vehicle. Under ordinary conditions such pole formation offers but little resistance to the passage of such electro-motive force. With the use of such trolley pole formation in the circuit of the electromotive forcefor heavily loaded cars or train of cars, requiring a maximum supply of electro-motive force to the driving motors, such form of trolley pole owing to its low electric con-- ductivity offers an objectionable amount of resistance to the passage of the electric current so that in many cases the material of the pole is brought to a red heat owing to such defective nature in a trolley pole of the such defective nature in a trolley pole of the described formation in an efiective and economical manner, the present invention provides a provision as follows:

A high conductive wire or cable 2 of copper or like metal is arranged in the interior of the tubular trolley pole 1, with the upper end of said wire or cable electrically connected by brazing or like connecting means i to the metal of the trolley pole in close relation to the hereinafter described trolley pole harp and carrying head of the contact shoe or slider of the present structure. At its lower end the wire or cable 2 is connected to,- or may form an integral part of the supply conductor to the driving motor of the vehicle.

In the construction shown, the upper portion 3 of the trolley harp is of the usual forked formation with the carrying head 4 of the contact shoe or slider 5 of such construction pivotally mounted between the forked members of the harp by the usual transverse pivot bolt 6, as shown.

The carrying head 4 above referred to, is of the usual elongated form, the upper portion of which is formed with the usual outwardly flared longitudinal side cheeks 7, and between said cheeks the head is formed with the usual longitudinal recess the side walls 8 of which incline towards each other, so as to have substantial holding engagement with a complemental formation of the side walls of the contact shoe or slider 5 when in place in said recess.

In the present improvement a longitudinally extending slot 9 is formed centrally in shanks of the aforesaid clamping bolts 10,"-

- with a View to prevent independent longitudinal shift of the shoe or slider 5 in its receiving recess of the carrying head 4.

At its midlength the carrying head 4 is formed with a depending tubular hub 12, the

transverseorifice of which carries a lining f.

or bushing 13, for bearing contact on the aforesaid pivot bolt 6 of the structure, while" at one end. the carrying head is provided with r a downwardly curved extension or horn 14,

to thelower end of which the hereinafter described flexible conductor 15 is fixedly attached atone end by rivets 16 or like fastene ing means.

The flexible conductor 15 above referred to K is of a loop form and is arranged between the forked members 8 of the trolley harp, andat the end opposite to its attachment to the 1 aforesaid extension or hornl l of the carrying head 4, has electrical attachment to the trolley pole 1 immediately adjacent to the point of connection ofthe aforesaid wire or, cable 2 to said pole.

With such construction effective conduct.

of the. system, with the resistance of the trolley pole, when used solely as a conducting .the aforesaid longitudinal slot into holding 7 medium, to'the passage of a heavy electric current, is eliminated, and withfa prevention of the ordinary effect of bringing the metalv of the trolley pole to a red heat, an ordinary I occurrence in overhead trolleys of the present 7 type when used in the passage of a heavier than usual electric current supply.

The contact shoe or slider 5 above referred r to is formed with a concave upper or contact I face, with the endsof such face having a downward curve, while the under surface of the slider is of a flat form, adapted for readyfit with a complemental fiat formation of the heretofore described receiving recess of the carrying head at.

- Having thus fully described my invention. I what I claim, is p- '1. In a trolley structure of the type demg capacity is provided in the trolley portion aforesaid carrying head and at the other end to the aforesaid attaching means.

2. In a trolley structure of thetype described, the combination of a tubular trolley pole having attaching means adjacent to its upper end, a forked harp secured to the upper end of said pole, a carrying head and contact member mounted in said harp and having a depending horn at one end, a conducting wire or cable arranged in the bore of the trolley poleand fixedly connected at its upper end to the aforesaid attaching means, and a fie'xible'conductor connected at one end to the depending horn aforesaid, and fixedly con nected at its other end to the aforesaid attachingnieans. i

3. In. a trolley contact headv of thextype herein described, the combinationofa carry ing headformed with 1 flaring side wings, with a longitudinal receivingrecess having bevelled sidewalls betweensaid side wings," and with a central longitudinal slot opening into said recess, a contactslioe or slider-fitting. said receiving recess, and transverse bolts passing through the carrying head 7 for 'draw-. ing the portions of said headseparatedby the; aforesaid longitudinal slot into holding conk. tact with the contact shoe orslider.

41. In a trolley contact head of the type herein described,'the combination of. a carrying head formed with flaring side? wings, with a longitudinal receiving recesshzivingbevelled side walls between said side'wings, and with a central longitudinal slot opening, into said recess, a contact shoe or slider fitting said receiving recess, and transverse bolts. passing through the carrying head for draw. ing the portions of said head separated by contact with the contact shoe or slider, said contact shoe or slider having transverse grooves in its under side-"for engagement with portions of the shanks of the transverse bolts aforesaid.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

KENNETII M'. "WILKINSL 

